Python “from [dot]package import …” syntax [duplicate]

Answer 1

In addition of Sudeep Juvekar, this question is also related to manage.py's behavior.

In django-admin.py and manage.py:

It puts your project’s package on sys.path.

Answer 2

Possible duplicate: What does a . in an import statement in Python mean?

The . is a shortcut that tells it search in current package before rest of the PYTHONPATH. So, if a same-named module Recipe exists somewhere else in your PYTHONPATH, it won't be loaded.